Rail gaging and renewing device

ABSTRACT

A rail gaging and renewing device which is preferably hydraulically operated and constructed for gaging track by moving a loose rail to the proper gage from a fixed rail including a spike driving assembly and a clamping structure to prevent the device from lifting off the rails during spiking operations.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Robert R. Traupmann Wauwatosa, Wis. [21 Appl. No. 749,648 [22] Filed Aug. 2, 1968 [4S] Patented Jan. 5, 1971 [73} Assignee Nordberg Manufacturing Company Milwaukee, Wis. a corporation of Wisconsin [54] RAIL GAGING AND RENEWING DEVICE 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 104/17, 104/2, 104/7 [51] Int. Cl E01b 29/26 [50] Field of Search 104/7, 78, 8, 2; 33/144, 60,17

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,730,962 1/1956 Wright et a1.

2,930,328 3/1960 Talboys 3,381,626 5/1968 FaganetaL. 3,420;l86

Primary Examiner-Arthur 1... La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attorney-Parker, Carter & Markey l/1969 Kerns "I" ABSTRACT: A rail gaging and renewing device which is preferably hydraulically operated and constructed for gaging track by moving a loose rail to the proper gage from a fixed rail including a spike driving assembly and a clamping structure to prevent the device from lifting off the rails during spiking operations.

PATENTEU JAN 5197! 3552132 SHEET 1 BF 5 Film Kim mm PATENTEHJAN 51m: 3.552320 SHEET 2 BF 5 FM/r/ Fizz 0mm PATENTEDJAH 5l97l 3552.320

SHEET 3 OF 5 PATENTEDJAN 5m: $552,320

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PATENTED JAN 5 l9?! SHEET 5 OF S RAIL GAGING AND RENEWING DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concernedwith a combination spike driving and rail gaging arrangement and is specifically concerned with a machine for use in spiking rail in a rail renewal gang, although it can be used otherwise.

A primary object is a spike driver and rail gager which ensures accurate gage in a rail renewal operation.

Another object is a combination spike driver and rail gager which ensures firm contact between the outside of the rail base and the tie plate shoulder.

Another object is a spike driver and rail gager with the gaging arrangement as close to the spike driving guns as possible.

Another object is a combination rail gager and spike driver which does not require the operator to hunt to gage and then spike. I

Another object is a spike driver which is specifically constructed for rail renewal work.

Another object is a machine of the above type with a rail clamp which is automatically operated to clamp to the rail when the machine stops prior to spiking.

Another object is a rail gaging and renewing device including a rail clamp to hold the machine against the rail when driving spikes for rail renewal work.

Another object is an improved rail renewing device including a spiking attachment that can be used for rail renewal, tie renewal or the like.

Another object is a device of the above type which does not tend to tip the new rail.

Another object is a combination railroad gager and spike driver which firmly holds the machine in position during spik- Another object is a device of the above type which is adjustable so that the gage may be varied.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification and drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The rail gaging and renewing device consists basically of a vehicle body 12 carried on flanged rail engaging wheels 14. The rails 16 have a bottom flange l8 and a top flange 20 commonly called the head or ball of the rail with the ties at 22.

The vehicle body 12 preferably consists of a frame 24 and an engine, pump and oil reservoir assembly shown diagrammatically at 26, the details of which are not part of this invention. The frame has upright frame elements 28 and inclined frame elements 30 upon the upper end of which are secured a crossbeam structure having side beams 32 and a connecting end portion 34 supporting a carriage member 36.

Depending from the carriage member 36 are shown two spike driving cylinders generally indicated at 38. The cylinders may be adjusted on the frame 24 by suitable fasteners which permit manual longitudinal adjustment relative to the rails. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the driving cylinders 38 depend generally vertically over only one of the rails 16; however, another pair of cylinders may be added over the other rail.

Each of the driving cylinders 38 carries a piston rod or driving rod 40 which terminates in a spike contacting anvil 42. When the piston rod 40 with-its anvil 42 descends to force one of the spikes into a tie 22 it moves an initial distance in unison with a pair of jaws, not shown, which are effective to hold a spike in the proper position for driving. After a predetermined penetration of the spike into the tie 22, the downward movement of the jaw stops. Thereafter, the anvil 42 continues its downward thrust against the spike and drives it fully home forcing the jaws apart.

Aligned with the spikes are a plurality of spike trays 44 each having downwardly inclined upper edges which support the spike heads to permit the spikes to move gravitily downwardly against an end plate 46. I

In addition, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an operators seat 48 mounted on a rear platform 50 of the main frame of the device. Adjacent the seat, at each side, is a support 52 adapted to receive a container or barrel in which a supply of spikes may be kept.

More details of the spike driving assembly 37 are in copending application Ser. No. 467,500, filed June 28, 1965 by Robert .I. Foxx and Edward I'I.v Krause, Jr. now US. Pat. No. 3,426,698,issued Feb. 11, 1969.

The gaging structure 54 is shown in FIG. 1 just behind the wheels 14 and just ahead of the spiking assembly 37. As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gaging structure properly positions the bottom flange l8 of the new rail in proper gage with the fixed rail. In operation the gaging assembly first engages the fixed rail which serves as a reference to gage the new rail. Then the gaging assembly over the new rail is actuated and the inside gaging blade 56 comes down to contact the bottom flange 18 of the rail with the outside blade 58 coming down to properly align the free rail in relation to the fixed rail.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the gaging structure includes two pairs of gaging blades 60 each pivoted about respective pivots 62. Also, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gaging assembly for each rail may be the same. Therefore, the assembly over only the fixed rail will be described in detail.

Each gaging assembly is designated generally 64 and includes a hydraulic cylinder pivoted at 67 with a piston rod 68 at the other end. The piston rod 68 is pivotally connected at 70 to a vertical extension or leg 72 on the top of the outer gaging blade 58. Thus, the cylinder 66 will rotate the blade either in orout. Next to connection 70, tie rod 74 is pivoted at 73 to the extension 72. Tie rod 74 is pivoted at 75 at its other end in the middle of a link 76. Link 76 is pivoted at 77 to a bracket 80 on a mounting plate 81 which in turn is fastened to the vehicle body. At the other end of the connector link 76, a link 82 is pivoted at 83 and connected by a pivot 84 at its other end to a link connection 86 which in turn is pivoted at 88 to a bracket 90 on a mounting plate 81. The link 82 may be in the form of a turnbuckle so that adjustment thereof will vary the final position of the inside gaging blades 56. Thus gage may be varied by such adjustment. It may also be used to compensate for wear. A link member 96 is pivoted to the link connection 86 at 94 and its other end is pivoted at 97 to the inside gaging blade 56. 1

FIG. 5 shows in detail one of the adjustable clamping blocks 92. The clamping block92 is mounted against the inner face of its respective blade and is secured by a plate 93 and suitable bolts 95 extending through slots 99 to provide for adjustment for various rail sizes. When it is desired to gage track having small rails, the adjustable blocks 92 are secured at the top of their respective slots 99 to reduce the clearance between blades 60 when they are in a closed position.

FIG. 1 shows a rail clamp 98 to the left of a turntable 100 near the center line of the machine while FIG. 6 shows the rail clamp in more detail.

The rail clamp 98 fastens around the inside of the rail head 20 to hold the machine down during spiking operations and basically includes a cylinder 108, clamp hook 104 and a spring 106. The clamp cylinder 108 is pivoted to a support 112 depending fromthe frame 24 of the vehicle body. Attached to the end of the piston rod is a clevis 114 having a pin or bolt 116 for rotatably attaching to the clamp hook 104. The other end of the clamp hook is rotatably attached as at 118 to a spring 106 which in turn is attached to the frame body as at A pivot point for the clamp hook is shown at 122 and includes a center pin or bolt 124 extending through the clamp hook pivotally attached to two parallely aligned hook supports 126 depending from the frame of the vehicle body.

Whenever oil or any other suitable fluid is admitted to the clamp cylinder 108, it retracts into a position for adequate clearance and travel. As soon as the machine is stopped, the hydraulic pressure drops off and the spring 106 moves the hook 104 into clamp position as shown in FIG. 6.

-In addition, FIG. 6 shows the rail clamp 98 over one rail; however, another rail clamp may extend over the other rail, if desired. 1

in addition, it should be pointed out that the hydraulic cylinders 38, 66, 108 in the-machine may besuitably interconnected with the pump system and reservoir by flexible conduits generally indicated at 128 which it is thought not necessary to describe in detail. it will also be understood that an auxiliary hand pump, not shown, may be provided to operate the hydraulic system manually.

'Further, while it does not, as such, form part of the present invention, the hydraulic system employed may be used to movethe vehicle along the tracks ineither direction, and also to actuate the turntable 100" which permits the vehicle to be removed from the tracks to permit the passage of trains.

tie plates, it is slightly closer to the fixed rail than normal gage.

.T his machine is specifically constructed to, first, move the free railand plates out to proper gage distance and then firmly clamp it in place for spiking. The inside arm 56 moves down first and pushes the loose rail out to proper gage. Thereafter,

.the outside arm 58 finishes its stroke and firmly clamps the loose rail in fixed position. Then spiking takes-placesAccurate gage is established between the inner faces of the inside arms 56 prior to final clamping by the outside arms.

f in operation, the gaging structure 54 properly positions the bottom flange 18 of the free or loose rail with reference to the fixed rail as-shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3. Due to togglelike action, the inner arm or blade 56 first contacts the inner edge of the bottom flange of the rail 16. Then the outer arm 58 advances to clamp the free rail while the inner arm 56 remains stationary. It is important to note that the device positions the bottom flange 18 of the rail instead of the head 20 so that any tipping tendency of the rail is eliminated. in addition, all the clearance between base and plate shoulders is on the inside of the rails 16 and 'not the outside as there is a tendency of the rails to spread during use.

The gaging arrangement is positioned directly next to the spike drivers 38. Note the relationship in FIG. 1. The result is that when the spike drivers are'accurately positioned over the spikes to be driven, the rail gage 54 will be directly next to the spikes being driven. In prior devices where the gaging arrangement and spike driver are on separate machines, they are spaced a substantial distance apart. This does not insure accurate gage at the spiking machine. Wherethey have previously been on the same machine, they have been spaced a substantial distance which creates a positioning or alignment problem for the operator. For example, if the gaging arrangement 54 is on the front of the machine, the operator would not be able to tell whether the gage was accurately lined up with the crib,

Note in FIG. l-that both the spiking guns and the'gaging arrangement 54 are directly in frontof the operator .and directly. nextto each'other. So the operator-knows'thatwhen the spike guns are directly lined 'up with the spikes to be driven, the gagingarrangement is in'the next crib space, where it has to be to operate. '1' The spike drivers have been shown over only one rail, which would be the freerail.When the machine is used to-spike the other-rail,*'the machine can be turned around by the turntable 100.

the-spike drivers drive a spik'e,-there will not be a tendency for the'machine'to ibeliftedtoff the track in the event the spike clamp cylinderl08 causing it.to be retracted to 5a withdrawn position for travel. As soon as the machine stops and oil-pressure goes off, the spring will automatically swing the clamp into a withdrawn position, thereby preventing the machine from being lifted off of the track during spiking.

Thegaging arrangement hasthe additional advantage that any space between the'shoulders of the tie plate and the sides of the rail flange willtbe on the inside. Thus, the outer surface of the rail flange will be flush against the outer tie plate shoulder. Since the tendencyofrails is to spread due to traffic going over them, the rail cannotslip since the clearance is alreadyon' the inside. t

The gaging arrangement may be in the form of an. attachment with all of the operating'mechanism on a plate 81 which can be bolted 'or otherwise'connected to a frame of an existing spike driveriln sort, the two gaging mechanisms'60 in FIG. 4 may be in the form of a conversion kit whichacan be supplied to existing spike drivers and suitably field mounted. Or they may be applied to new. machines. The same is true of' 'the rail hook in FIG. 6.

While I have shown a specific linkage, it should be understood that different linkage maybe used. Also any linkage may be adjustable-so that the gage may be varied if desired.

Another advantage of-this arrangement is that the blades, as shown in FIG. 4, will hold the entire machine firmly in position when one or more spikes are being driven by the cylinders 38.

I claim:

1. In a spike driver for use in rail renewing, a vehicle movable along the rails of a track having a frame and cross structure supporting a spike driving assembly, the improvement comprising a gaging structure having at least one pair of movable arms-adapted to be pivoted about a respective pivotpoint and including an actuating lever and means for urging the movable arms to engage and move a free rail to the proper gage from a fixed rail, a clamping structure having at least one hook member adapted to engage the head of a rail to prevent said device from lifting ofl" the rails during spiking operations, a piston rod urging the hook member into position for adequate clearance and travel, and a spring urging the hook member into engagement with the head of a rail to prevent the device from lifting off of the rails during spiking operations.

2. in a spike driving machine for renewing rail on railroad track where one rail is old and still spiked in place and the other is new and free on the tie, a frame adapted to be moved along the rails, a spike driving mechanism on the frame over at least the new rail, a gaging mechanism on the frame longitudirlally adjacent the spike driving mechanism, a spreading mechanism between the rails adapted to apply a lateral outward thrust to the base of the rails to bring the new rail to the desired gage while using the old rail as a reference, arid a power mechanism outboard of each rail for applying a laterally inward clamping force to the outside of the base of each rail in opposition to thespreading mechanism so that side.

The railzclamp is constructed to clarnp the rail so that when 

1. In a spike driver for use in rail renewing, a vehicle movable along the rails of a track having a frame and cross structure supporting a spike driving assembly, the improvement comprising a gaging structure having at least one pair of movable arms adapted to be pivoted about a respective pivot point and including an actuating lever and means for urging the movable arms to engage and move a free rail to the proper gage from a fixed rail, a clamping structure having at least one hook member adapted to engage the head of a rail to prevent said device from lifting off the rails during spiking operations, a piston rod urging the hook member into position for adequate clearance and travel, and a spring urging the hook member into engagement with the head of a rail to prevent the device from lifting off of the rails during spiking operations.
 2. In a spike driving machine for renewing rail on railroad track where one rail is old and still spiked in place and the other is new and free on the tie, a frame adapted to be moved along the rails, a spike driving mechanism on the frame over at least the new rail, a gaging mechanism on the frame longitudinally adjacent the spike driving mechanism, a spreading mechanism between the rails adapted to apply a lateral outward thrust to the base of the rails to bring the new rail to the desired gage while using the old rail as a reference, and a power mechanism outboard of each rail for applying a laterally inward clamping force to the outside of the base of each rail in opposition to the spreading mechanism so that after the free rail is spiked in position, the slack between the rail base and the shoulders on the tie plates will be on the inside. 